Sciatica Experiences

BizzyBek

I appreciate this forum isn't for medical advice and I'm not looking for that but I would like to know if anyone else has suffered or had family member suffer extreme sciatica - to the level they cannot be moved from bed?

My mother is currently suffering from it and thankfully I live at home otherwise it would be a bigger nightmare. Four 2-3 weeks the docs keep changing pain meds but nothing is touching it. She is well beyond the scope of the painkillers and keep moving level.

I suppose I'm just looking for some reassurance that this level of disability with isn't unheard of. Bless she's having some very indignant moments with it.

Any advice from someone whose been there on how to keep the spirits up of someone who has now been bedroom/upstairs bound for 11 days would be gratefully received too!!

shampain

Hiya, after working as a care assistant for many years i suffer with this problem. Not to the extent that your mother obviously does and i really do sympathise with her because it is a very painful condition. I have never had it where it has made me bed bound but i have come close a few times. Obviously over the counter drugs are not working for her. I know you're not meant to disguss medical things on here but can i ask if she has been scripted Tramadol?
As for keeping her sprits up all i can think of doin is making sure that everything she needs is close to hand, phone, tv, magazines and books, if she has hobby that can be done in bed then help her achieve this, ask if hse fancies any of her fave food sometimes something that you really fancy can perk you up no end!
I hope you both find some kind of solution to this...good luck x

moomin_white

I suffered sciatic pains for years and never did anything until it got so bad i could hardly move as it was constant and down both legs. I was in agony .
Has your Mum ever seen a physiotherapist ? I was refered by my doctor to my local hospital after i was forceful and said i wanted the problem solved, not the just the symptoms to be alleviated. and they sorted me out (it was all caused by poor posture) and i virtually hardly get problems

BizzyBek

Thanks for the replies. We have tried tramadol and are one up on that again.

I think it sounds sad and it isn't a criticism of the docs/NHS but you have to be pretty forceful to keep in the loop so to say. I think night times are worse as then the mind naturally wanders, exagerates and dwells. So I've said even if we keep odd, vamparic hours I'll keep her company when she feels like that. hame there's no things like quizcall anymore!!

The_Economist

BizzyBek wrote: »

I appreciate this forum isn't for medical advice and I'm not looking for that but I would like to know if anyone else has suffered or had family member suffer extreme sciatica - to the level they cannot be moved from bed?

My mother is currently suffering from it and thankfully I live at home otherwise it would be a bigger nightmare. Four 2-3 weeks the docs keep changing pain meds but nothing is touching it. She is well beyond the scope of the painkillers and keep moving level.

I suppose I'm just looking for some reassurance that this level of disability with isn't unheard of. Bless she's having some very indignant moments with it.

Any advice from someone whose been there on how to keep the spirits up of someone who has now been bedroom/upstairs bound for 11 days would be gratefully received too!!

Sorry to hear your mum is in so much discomfort. From my experience the best thing i ever done after suffering for 2 years with it is going to a Chiropractor. The amount of pain relief after the first session was fantastic. Pain killers are ok short term but she needs the problem properly diagnosed. Hope she gets better soon.

sillyvixen

my mum suffered this when i was a kid - it ment we got indian take-away for sunday lunch, as dad could not cook and mum was laying flat on frount room floor!! - however my mum eventually discovered a local chiropracter (sp) and did so every time pain began to bite - it really helped her and no more curry for sunday lunch - more the pity!!!!! she still occasionally goes to the chiro and occasionally treats herslelf to a massage at the local beaty !!!!!! this seems to keep her back in check.( also massage is a good pressie - voucher form - if no other ideas come to mind).

Terrylw1

My dad ha suffered from it for years. He has only had it serious once though where he just couldn't stand up.

My dad says the same, the painkillers don't do much for it even in the short term. He has had physio and it was useful at times but it didn't always work.

I got him one of those TENS machines just incase it helped (anything is better than nothing!) and it did help when the pain wa mild. When the pain was worse, it didn't seem to help.

Obviously, your issue is more severe and needs medical help. It seems that physio might be worth a go or a chiropractor.

The various people my dad has seen have always said it's one of those conditions that will just go when it's time and they can only alleviate the symptoms. Thats ok I guess if it's mild but when it's that bad you need as much help as you can get.

I hope she feels better soon.

~daisy~_2

think about seeking advice from a massage therapist and asking them to try a piriformis release on her

it should help a little

shopndrop

I had it really bad many years ago, not as bad as your mother, but had been off work for 6 weeks and was feeling really desperate. Someone suggested a chiropractor to me, and although I was apprehensive, I agree with The_Economist it was the best thing ever, I also had relief after only 1 treatment. I did need more treatments but the relief was immediate and I wouldn't hesitate to use a chiropractor again if I was ever in the same situation.

moomin_white

i disagree that the OPs mother should have to figure out for herself what's causing the problem then try and discover whether a physio, chiropractor or osteopath is the best way to go forward-wasting her time and money along the way.

That was a mistake i made initially when i had my problem, i went to see an osteopath and they just made the problem worse. That's why i told my doctor that he had to do his job and refer me to someone. And my problem is solved and i've not cost the NHS more money since by having to go to my doctor every few months with back problems and i've not had to keep taking time off work.

Doctors just seem too happy these days to let people suffer with back problems and they don't seem interested in sorting out the cause, they just want to deal with the symptoms by telling people to take 2 weeks off work and giving them painkilllers and it's pointless.

Sorry, rant over!

squidge60

i feel very sorry for you mum my oh suffered for a long time i feel the hardest part is getting you dr to understand the pain someone is in and the fact is normal pills just wont touch it and the quality of life is something else.i would suggest you get on to you dr and impress on him how bad everything is and take it from there.i wish you all the best and hope you can get something positive to happen.x